Zardari vows to thwart anti-Pakistan designs

President Asif Ali Zardari has said the dark forces of extremism, militancy and sectarianism are posing a serious challenge to the integrity of the nation, but no one would be allowed to endanger the country’s existence. In a message on the Defense Day of Pakistan, the president said Pakistan was a moderate, tolerant and peaceful nation where political choices were made through the ballot. “Let us, therefore, pledge that we will never allow anyone to endanger our existence as a moderate, tolerant and peaceful nation,” he said. Stressing an urgent need for clarity of purpose and national unity to confront the challenges, the president said the demonstration of unprecedented cohesion among the people, singularity of purpose at the national level and valor of the armed forces made September 6 a memorable day in the national calendar. He said on this day in 1965, people from all over Pakistan and representing all shades of opinion joined hands in standing behind the valiant armed forces in thwarting aggression. “The commemoration of September 6 revives our spirits and strengthens our resolve to defend the country against all kinds of threats and to be always prepared for any sacrifice for its integrity and honor.” In his message on Defence Day, Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf said September 6 is a day which represents the nation’s unwavering commitment to unify in the face of grave challenges. “We need the same zeal and commitment today as we exhibited in 1965 to defeat the forces of terrorism, extremism and sectarianism,” he said.